p0340 code camshaft position sensor

[bikerjosh]

So yesterday I posted a dumb question about not being able to find all the bolts for the timing cover, having a SC put the tensioner right in the way.
Which I think means I need to remove the tensioner before pulling the timing cover (any SC owners want to confirm this?) Having never done that before loosening the bolt is going to create a bigger headache when I try and put it back together.

Anyway Not sure why I didn't check this earlier.
Unpluged the harness on the camshaft position sensor and put a multi-meter on it, got 1075 reading on a cold motor.

Stats I have are should be between 835-1400 on a cold motor.
Is it possible the sensor is bad, but still showing within spec?

The situation that causes the CEL to be tripped is on start up, the motor spins but fails to catch. After a couple trys it will fire up and everything is fine. Could my sensor be causing the problem but still showing the right stats.?

Trying to take care of some stuff on the 4runner before heading out on a death valley trip 3-4 days on the trail and would rather not get stranded out there.

thanks Josh

 

[EatonKyleH]

So yesterday I posted a dumb question about not being able to find all the bolts for the timing cover, having a SC put the tensioner right in the way.
Which I think means I need to remove the tensioner before pulling the timing cover (any SC owners want to confirm this?) Having never done that before loosening the bolt is going to create a bigger headache when I try and put it back together.

Anyway Not sure why I didn't check this earlier.
Unpluged the harness on the camshaft position sensor and put a multi-meter on it, got 1075 reading on a cold motor.

Stats I have are should be between 835-1400 on a cold motor.
Is it possible the sensor is bad, but still showing within spec?

The situation that causes the CEL to be tripped is on start up, the motor spins but fails to catch. After a couple trys it will fire up and everything is fine. Could my sensor be causing the problem but still showing the right stats.?

Trying to take care of some stuff on the 4runner before heading out on a death valley trip 3-4 days on the trail and would rather not get stranded out there.

thanks Josh

Remove the dynamic tensioner for the SC and the timing cover and check your timing. Also pay close attention to the reluctor wheel teeth for deep scratches or chips.

That being said the cam sensor could very well be bad and still test within specs to an resistance/ohm check. A cam sensor and many other sensors do not operate by changing resistance and therefore a ohm/resistance check is not an accurate way to test these sensor types. The cam sensor produces an AC voltage signature in relation to the position of the reluctor wheel teeth. To accurately diagnose one requires the use of an oscilloscope and to check the voltage peaks and valleys. The only time these type of sensors will show bad with a resistance check is if it were shorted or open which is less likely than that it is no longer producing the proper AC signal.

Hope this helps clear up your questions!